In 1861 John Newth, aged 13, born in Wootton Bassett Wilts, ag lab, was with his mother Elizabeth Newth, aged 51, born in London, married, labourer's wife, in Rope Yard, Buthay, Wootton Bassett.
In 1871 John Newth, aged 23, born in Wootton Bassett Wilts, unmarried, tea dealer, was lodging not from his parents in Buthay, Wootton Bassett.
In 1881 John Newth, aged 33, born in Wootton Bassett Wilts, grocer, and wife Elizabeth, aged 39, born in Westbury Wilts, were living in Wood Street, Wootton Bassett. Present were children (born in Wootton Bassett) Ellen (7), scholar, Bernard (5), scholar, Sidney (1), and Beatrice (4 months).
In 1891 John Newth, aged 43, born in Wootton Bassett Wilts, grocer, and wife Elizabeth, aged 48, born in Westbury Wilts, were living in Wood Street, Wootton Bassett. Present were children (born in Wootton Bassett) Ellen (17), grocer's assistant, Edith (13), scholar, Sidney (11), scholar, Beatrice (10), scholar, and Ernest (8), scholar.
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THE SUICIDE IN SWINDON.
INQUEST TO-DAY.
An inquest on the body of Mr. John Newth, aged 53 years, of 2, Cambria Place, Swindon, and formerly of Wootton Bassett, who committed suicide on Friday evening last, as already reported, was held at the Grapes Inn, Swindon, this morning before Mr. W. E. N. Browne and a jury.
Mr. S. Bruce Morrison, of the firm of Messrs. Butterworth, Rose and Morrison, appeared for the relatives of the deceased.
The first witness called was Elizabeth Newth, who said deceased was her husband. He had not been well for a long time. Ten years ago he broke his leg and had never been the same since. He continually expressed a wish to die. He suffered from restless nights. Dr. Clemson, of Wootton Bassett, attended him about two months ago for a bad leg. He had very little dinner on the Friday and went upstairs about a quarter to six. He was in the habit of lying on the couch upstairs after going for a walk, and did not come down again until late. She noticed nothing peculiar about him when he went upstairs. He had expressed no desire to kill himself, although he had said he could not understand how it was he could not die like other people did. About 8 o'clock she went to the bedroom and found him dead, tied to the bedstead.
By Mr. Morrison: Deceased met with an accident about 9 or 10 years ago, since which time he had been funny in his head. He injured his head severely then. He had had another fall since. He had always been peculiar. His father and his father's sister died in the Asylum.
Emily Lazenby, a neighbour, said she was called about 8-30 on Friday. She went in and found deceased sitting on the floor, tied to the bedstead. He was quite cold. She had noticed he looked very poorly and very peculiar of late. He always acted as a gentleman when she met him.
Bernard Newth, a son of the deceased, said they were six in family. He was with deceased nine years ago when he met with an accident by falling off some sacks of chaff. He was then rendered unconscious and had been more or less funny ever since. He had been a grocer at Wootton Bassett for 29 years, and had only recently removed to Swindon.
Dr. Arthur Davey, assistant to Messrs. Swinhoe, said he was called about 8-30 on Friday evening and found deceased on the floor beside the bed in a sitting position, leaning to the right. The cord was fastened around his neck, the knot pressing on the windpipe. The immediate cause of death was strangulation.
The jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst temporarily insane.
The Evening Swindon Advertiser, Monday, 5 Nov 1900, p. 2
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